More Independence!

First off, sometimes I wonder why we spend $$ on expensive toys when a box and a $2 floaty tube can account for two hours of play??!! By the way Ryan and Jill--even though that was a way over sized box for what you were sending, Luci and Ella LOVED it!

Next, I had this idea instead of always having to run with the girls, I could wake up early (before Mark leaves) and run while everyone is still asleep...Now before you get worried for my safety (I run with Moses and it is really light here @ 6am). I did it this morning and really enjoyed getting out and starting the day off with some alone time and Moses could use the exercise! So, it is my desire to do this @ least three times a week. Wish me luck! Mark and I are hoping to be ready to run the Baltimore 1/2 marathon in October, so I do have to have some discipline in doing this!

Here are the pictures from the first paragraph's stories:

She is so funny!


She likes to use it in the baby pool too!


Both sisters enjoy a box!


Ella with both toys....


Don't worry I am not advertising for FedEx here:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCIA!!!

So, my baby turned 1 today...I cannot believe it!!! It is slightly strange to me because near Ella's first birthday I found out I was pregnant with Luci...

I feel pretty confident right now that I am NOT pregnant...anyway--here is a video from early this morning marking the day as Luci's birthday....unfortunately she was getting a little frustrated @ the end of the video. She is such a special little girl and I feel truly blessed that God chose me to be her Mom! Love you, Luci! Also thanks to all of phone texts and messages on my facebook wall for bday wishes for Luci...and Uncle Ryan and Aunt Jill loved your singing;)

I always have trouble thinking of a title...

We are trying to get into a routine...Mark has been studying a lot lately for midterms this next week and boards in two weeks (good luck, honey--even though I don't think you will need it)! So I have tried to keep the kids out of his hair...and well @ times I have to find things for me to do so I don't bug him. Last night I decided to let Ella stay up a bit later and watch a movie with me while we snuggled, ate popcorn and painted fingernails:) Fun times...we watch the Chronicles of Narnia (Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe)-Kim's cut...I love how DVD's let you skip onto the next chapter of the movie. She loves Aslan, the two Beavers, Lucy, Peter and Mr. Tumnus the most! I have pictures that I will share. Luci didn't get to stay up late with us, but she sure will in a about a year and a half!!

Also if you have the chance...I entered Luci and Ella in a magazine cover contest (I know cheesy and silly, but if you want to vote for them-here are the links ELLA, LUCI!!!

One more thing...there is also a picture of Ella in her Chinese dress...mainly because the neck part is getting too tight, so we wanted to get @ least on photo shoot in before it didn't fit!

Luci becoming more of a daredevil in her VERY mobile stage!


Here is the dress from China!


Sisters hugging...love this one!


Popcorn time!


Toe time!!

Should have been it's own entry prior to this entry, but instead I will just tag it onto the end of this one...the last trip to the zoo-- we went to one of the areas I hadn't explored yet...I had to take pictures with my cellphone camera...still you get the idea:)

in a larger than life orioles nest


In a turtle shell

Ella is still looking forward to the camel ride that we will take her on sometime @ the zoo...

a milestone has been reached...

Ella successfully played with playdough today without eating it...let me say that again...WITHOUT eating it. For anyone who has done playdough with Ella before they know what a huge feet this is, she is growing up...moment of silence.

Luci got to play with it for the first time...it only lasted about 7 seconds before it headed towards her mouth...but I was there to mediate...so here are the pictures!

Action shot


As you can see this was after dinner...


Snake and a dog...so she had a little help...


Pink Elephant, it was her idea!


Luci wanting to join in the fun!


She handed it to me before eating it, thankfully!

a HOT weekend!

WOW I must be becoming a wimp...the heat is killing me!!! And to think when I was growing up we didn't have air...how did I make it??? Although I have a feeling I might have complained???

This weekend was a blast. Mark's whole family came to visit! Check out Danielle's Blog for more pictures of the fun:0) We went to the Aquarium @ the Inner Harbor area....then went to Cafe Hon for dinner, then had Luci's first one year birthday party. (I say first because she will probably have @ least one more:) I am starting to feel like she isn't my 'Baby' anymore--:0) But here are some pictures of the fun!

Danielle's Birthday is in couple weeks, but I won't see her then...also I am horrible about waiting to give people their gifts...so I gave her her gift @ the party...Happy Early Bday Auntie!


Ella taking pictures with Papa!


Ella and Luci's cousins John and Grace


Luci...showing us how uninterested she really was in eating the cake


There was a lot in the hair


She fed me more than ate it herself..


She got lots of fun presents!!! Thanks everyone!



Picture of everyone...minus me @ Cafe Hon


Aimee at the Aquarium...when we stopped to eat some lunch

Lastly...last week the Downing's came to visit...! It was so good to see them and her is a picture of all the kids:) I enjoyed catching up with them and seeing our kids interact!

6 years this past Sunday!

Mark and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary on Sunday (also it was my Dad's birthday...happy birthday Dad). We were driving home from Toledo most of the day, but we stopped off in Pittsburgh and had a meal with Aaron and Danielle (we had such fun with them)! We ate @ Bravo (so yummy)! Then we got home around 11:30pm...so we haven't really gotten to celebrate yet, but I wanted to send a shout out to my sweet honey! Happy 'late' anniversary:) I love you and so glad that God choose me and only me to be your girl! I am so proud to have you as my man, it will be exciting to see where God leads us together...

@ the wedding


@ graduation

Ryan and Jill get married...Luci is walking (I mean really walking)...Ella the flower girl (our little dancer)!

Busy weekend and it's not even over, but I wanted to share some pictures/one video of mostly wedding festivities. Ella was an amazing flower girl...she was so beautiful...as was Jill, too! (Ryan was handsome ;0) My dress was my birthday present from last year...a dress from JCREW...thanks Aaron and Danielle!

So here are some pics...followed by a video of Luci walking...alot!

Me and Jill (my new sister-in-law)


Mark, Me, Ryan and Jill


Ella dancing


It was an outdoor wedding...the rain held off...Ella was so cute!


Jill, Ella and Ryan


This is the video of Luci walking @ the reception!!! Way to go little one:) We love you!

Family Time beforet the Wedding!

My brother and Jill get married on Saturday! Ella's dress (she is the flower girl) has been altered and I think we are all ready! I know I will have pictures to post later! But in the mean time we have been enjoying Maw Maw and Paw Paw time...we even when went to LAKESIDE (link here). A place I went to every summer for the 4th of July week (I have such great memories of that place)! It was great to see the girls enjoying the same things I enjoyed as a child. So, here are some pictures:

eating ice cream @ THE PATIO


playing in the sand


walking in the sand...at least when her feet weren't stuck in it!


how tall are u?


am I taller if I raise my hands (does that count?)


LUCI is WALKING!


Ella trying out her new tricycle!! Thanks Maw Maw and Paw Paw!

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Before I go any farther, I want to thank all the men and women who are and have defended America overseas and domestic---I never want to take our freedom for granted!

Lots has been going on here...enjoying having my husband in the same state with me too:) Although-- this next weekend is Jill and Ryan's wedding, so I will be heading to Ohio early for that! But, I wanted to share what has been going on...Luci took her first step...although she is not interested in doing it very often. Ella practiced for a couple months before she walked...so maybe Luci is taking after her sister here! I have a video to prove it...please excuse my joyful screeching. Sorry Mark, it is in sepia, I had to grab the camera fast!

We ended up going north (as in 25 min north of Baltimore) to see the fireworks @ Hunt Valley. We heard the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra play while the fireworks went off. Very cool!!! Although is did rain about 45% of the performance...but they were able to do the fireworks! The girls really enjoyed it and so did Mark and I---I will post some pics here, but check out my facebook for all the pictures. Ella enjoyed 'conducting' the orchestra too! But when those around us noticed her doing it-she got really embarrassed...still so cute...here is a short video-

We also took a run @ Druid Hill Park...we are hoping to be fit enough to run the Baltimore 1/2 Marathon this fall:) And we went to the zoo today, told you we have been busy! Also thanks for all the birthday cards and wishes:) You guys are the best!

Mark's first day picture @Hopkins-I know I am cheesy!


The Park where we went running...it has a great view of the city...


View from the Park...it was humid, so the view would've been better-


We had to take a shuttle bus to the fireworks...here is Ella on her first school bus ride-she loved it, no surprise there!


Luci caught celebrating @ the concert!


They had stuff for the kids to play on while we wanted for the concert!


Ella with her umbrella-she didn't mind getting wet!


View of the symphony


Some fireworks...


Ella covered her ears with her blanket, then she was fine:)


Luci enjoying the fireworks...I jumped into the photo, so I could document I was actually there-


Luci @ the zoo!


Ella @ the zoo!

I am also putting a video of the Stars and Stripes Forever March on facebook...enjoy!